Dont forget to rate, comment, and subscribe shooting this revolver at the range a couple of weeks ago resulted in an overtightening of the barrel. Discussion in general firearms forum started by tn. Later made guns have the model number and dash number stamped on. Like the lcr, the model 640 is a doubleactiononly dao wheelgun with an internal hammer. The safety catch consisted of what appeared to be a second cylinder release latch on the righthand sideplate that, when pushed forward, locked the hammer and trigger. The companys j frame airweight series dates back to the 1950s when these gunschambered first to. Because of the model 19s history and my love of wheel guns, i spent a few nights practicing my draw, dry fire and reload drills. Produced continuously from 1957 to 1999, tens of thousands of police officers carried a model 19 on their hip, including us immigration and naturalization service.
I have researched this on the web and found it to be a problem with the aluminum frame 669s. Back in 1993 smith and wesson reintroduced the centennial j frame revolver as the model 442. The smith and wesson triple lock was the choice was many professional shooters. Over time, problems with excessive endshake will develop on a steady diet of full house. That was really a great gun and it was a mistake to get rid of it. Smith and wesson revolver model 586 lcomp 357 magnum.
Dec, 2019 my g20 went down the road, and i went on through life without a 10mm. Much to my most pleasant surprise, they posted me, gratis, a brand new model 41 magazine. This gun was made until 1988, when it was replaced by the model 6906, which is essentially the same gun, with a single piece grip, a cosmetic change in the safety, and three dot sights. No doubt a new model 12 with better modern alloys and no lock would sell like hot cakes, but smith seems to hell bent on neglecting their revolver fans. I did crack a model 19 back in the 70s before that became common knowledge. I was very upset and expressed my unhappiness to smith and wesson. Dont be scared of all the hype that k frames cant handle magnums i know no one who wastes time powder and recoil abuse shooting magnum all the time. In fact, the empty model 69 tips the scales at 37 ounces empty, which is an ounce and change lighter than an empty allsteel government model 1911, or even an l frame 4. And that when alloyed with steel makes the steel much tougher. A cracked forcing cone means the demise of a fine gun. Becoming the model ten in 1957, the k frame revolver is the ideal size for daily carry and a wellbalanced handgun. I have to agree on the older model smiths having much bbetter triggers in general, but i agree with others that it can be a very casebycase gun by gun situation. There may be a kernel of truth to what the smith says but im convinced that the internet has blown any cracked forcing cone issues way out of proportion in recent years.
Grand rapids, mi usa i have often found myself in conversation, be it at the range or gun store, debating why more people. It was built on the largerl frame with a full underlug barrel. One of the companys most popular designs is the model 640. I just bought a bran new smith and wesson model 586 lcomp. Produced with a solid frame and a swingout type of cylinder. Anyone having any problems with scandium frame revolvers. Fine checkering decorates the top of the frame and barrel. Such pre1958 medium kframe revolvers can be identified by the absence of a model number stamped inside the yoke cut of the frame i. Sep 06, 2010 the model 12 airweight was also being produced although it had a carbon steel cylinder they were deemed safe for repeated firing, but not issued to the armed air forces. Most of problems i have seen with k frames are timjng. The thinking back then was you practise with 38s and used 357 mags. Dec 06, 2018 smith and wesson model 69 combat magnum. The companys jframe airweight series dates back to the 1950s when these.
Lframe magnum in 1981 came about to address the issues inherent to the kframe magnums. Smith and wesson introduced the most successful revolver of all time in 1899. Smith and wesson later concurred with this opinion. The new guns front locking plunger is now on the frame. This was supposed to be a surprise unboxing but this turned into a big fail. Are you confusing the 19 with the model 12 which is an alloy frame with a history of problems of the frame cracking. This has been probably been discussed so mush its like beaten a dead horse but i always thought the rugers where stronger, the smiths are more refined better triggers better finish etc. Oct 31, 2016 i usually head right to the range with a pistol. Just off the top of my head i can think that some of these problems might be due to using hot factory or hot handloaded ammo. Problems with cracking led to a change to steel cylinders.
In fact, you can even fit it inside of your pockets. The problems seem to be with shooters using bullets in the 125110 grain area. The 686 was a good move, but i should of still hung on to the model 19. Great revolver but i had a problem with it the steel frame was cracked. N frames are made in 357 magnum, 44 special, 44 magnum, 45 acp and 45 colt. The model 66 is the stainless version of the model 19. The forcing cone crack was in the model 19 and not the model 66.
In doubleaction, the model 19s stock trigger supposedly comes closer to 12lbs, but. Cylinder cracking problems led to the adoption of the lowpressure. In 1966 the french police purchased model 12s with 3inch barrels, round butts, and safety catches. What happens to all of the model 19s with cracked forcing. I personally dont know of a case where an airweight was shoot a. I received this a few days ago, but wished to take it to range and ascertain its functionality before making this post. Smith ultimately solved the problem by bringing out the l frame for 357 magnum and stopped production of 357 mag in the k frame for decades no one was cracking the j frame. Design, quality and quality control problems have been endemic to smith and wesson firearms for decades. I went up to a 686 just to be certain to avoid any problems. The serial number dates this model 12 to circa 197475.
Guns numbered in the teens were all made on the firms durable k frame. Partly because of their out of the box accuracy, but also their. Aug 11, 2012 smith and wesson model 12 airweight alloy frame version of the model 10. My 329pd frame warped enough to prevent the cylinder from even entering the frame window in 18 rounds of 44 special. My ffl dealer says to be very careful because they have a problem cracking the frames. I know you and wgs have explained the k frame thing to me before, i just forgot about the flat spot being the issue. Company rationale was thatlike the k frame problems. I was wondering if anybody has one, or has shot one, and has some feedback about this particular pistol.
They also produce revolvers and semiautomatic pistols, rifles, shotguns, and submachine guns. The frame is silver anodized alloy, finished in a manner similar to that of the stainless slide. So when you hear small, you know youre getting small. Frame cracking on aluminum framed pistols is the most common failure in the. Availability subject to applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and ordinances. The model 36 im looking at is a 36 no dash in excellent condition.
I intend to load nothing but 158gr for of any 38357 simply because i can stock up on one bullet, and i am a firm believer in heavy bullets vs. What makes stainless steel stainless is chromium, 12 % or better. The cracks were immediately beneath the guns barrels and both had been fired. Before the 12 4, these revolvers had a frame that was 0. Happily they promptly and swiftly replaced the frame and it has withstood the 44 mag test rounds i have put through it so far. Jun 06, 2019 i, am not sure why the lframe was even brought up when i, was in high school there was the jframe, kframe and nframe when cracking started appearing on the kframe due to so much highpower. I thought this was a decent price and was tempted to get it. Shooting a model 12 for testfiring purposes, i chose a wellused, 4inch, squarebutt model 12 3 from my personal collection.
There has been a trend to everlighter handgun frame construction, in an. The model 19 was meant to be carried with magnums, but it needs. Jun 16, 2008 ive been looking for a 9 mm pistol thats within my budget for a while now. There should not be a noticeable crack appear between the yoke and frame when pressure. Have a dan wesson model 15 with barrel length of 2, 4 and 6 from gunbroker. I have seen many times where dw is the sweetheart of the silhouette crowds. Brand new 686 performance center competitor cracked frame.